Yep, my only chance is to get in on a shop upgrading. My father has lumber to build the bay, so maybe I will line some stuff up from east TN this summer when I pick that up. Right now I have to just deal with the garage
I have a Hobart 210 and its a ton of welder for the money. It was around $850. The lincoln commercial units are also very good, but more money for the same ratings in a Hobart. I have a Lincoln 140c also and it is an outstanding machine (picked it up for $375 barely used). I think a mig welder with a good duty cycle is the most useful tool I have. Second most useful is the plasma cutter I just got.
I actually bought a cheapo everlast. Its called the Super Cut 50. One of my friends has had one for a while and its an awesome unit. HF start and everything and it was 419 shipped.